Paulownia: A Wood That’s Both Strong and Ultralight

Paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) is the second lightest wood in the world. The tree is native to Japan and Korea. Perhaps the wood’s greatest attribute is that it’s both lightweight and strong. The Average Dried Weight is 18 pounds per cubic foot (or 280 kg/m3) according to the Wood Database. Paulownia is also one of the …

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Kapok Pillows Are Non-Toxic and Supportive

Kapok is an alternative to conventional pillow stuffing. It is soft like down, yet supportive. Kapok is a silky fiber harvested in the rainforests of southeast Asia, tropical America, and Africa. After the ripe pods of the tree are harvested, the seeds are removed and the fluffy fiber is meticulously cleaned and dried.

Efficient — Foot Pedal Faucet Controllers

Foot pedal faucet controllers allow you to control a faucet hands-free. These devices are efficient and hygienic — they are commonly found in commercial kitchens and hospitals. I’m not sure why we don’t see them in more homes. You can reduce water use by 50% using pedal controllers, and if it’s hot water, you’ll be …

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Grapefruit Seed Extract — An Efficient Disinfectant

Grapefruit Seed Extract (or GSE) is a powerful disinfectant. It can be used to disinfect wounds, sterilize fruit and vegetables, purify drinking water, sanitize dishes, countertops and cutting boards and inhibit bacteria growth in pools and spas. The active ingredient of grapefruit seed extract is synthesized from the seed and pulp of certified organically grown …

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A List Of Lead-Free Garden Hoses That Are Safe For Water Drinking

Most garden hoses leach lead and other chemicals into the water. The problem is that they are made of PVC, which uses lead as a stabilizer. Consumer Reports tested 16 brands of garden hose sold at national chains and on the internet. In some hoses they measured 10 to 100 times more lead than the …

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Unusual Green Architecture In Japan: Namba Parks

In a city with few green spaces, Namba Parks is a welcome swath of green for the inhabitants of Osaka. The complex stands where Osaka’s baseball stadium used to be until 2003, and consists of a 30-floor skyscraper, Parks Tower, and a shopping mall with eight floors of terraced gardens. The sloping park connects to …

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